Scraper mechanism



April 29, 1924; 1,491,819

J. H. PIFER SCRAPER MECHANISM Filed March 26. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 29, 1924.

J. H. PIFER SCRAPER MECHANISM Filed March 26. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 29, 1924. 1,491,819

J. H. PIFER SGRAPER MECHANISM Filed March 26. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 V April 29 1924. 1,491,319

J. H. PIFER SCRAPER MECHANISM Filed March 26. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 jiiiq fwer Patented Apr. 29, 1924.

JOHN H. PI'FER, OF LAB-IMOR-E, NORTH DAKOTA.

' soanrnn mncnamsu.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN'H. PIFER, a citizen of the United States, residing. at Larimore, in the county of Grand Forks and State of North Dakota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Scraper Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

vThis invention relates to improvements in scraping mechanism forpartly or wholly removing snow from the ice on frozen rivers, lakes and the like, and the invention has to do in one embodiment, with-that type of scraper wherein'the advancing means is in the rear of the scraper. 7 However, my invention has features which are of great utility in horse or other drawn scrapers traversing dry land.

In accordance with my invent-ion, sup porting means such as runners or wheels are employed, and a scraper is disposed between said runners in a novel floating or rocking relation with the latter whereby the scraper is adapted for adjustment to scrape the snow or other material irrespective of the elevation of the runners above the ice or other J level.

A further feature of novelty consists in means for holding the scraperin different 80 positions to scrape at different levels Soithat irrespective of the load or resistance, the scraper cannot tilt in either direction from its adjusted position.

A further feature consists in means for r5 sustaining 'the scraper in a non-scraping loaded position until the scraping mechanism reaches a location where the snow 'or other material is to be dumped.

A further feature consists in a novel draft 40 connection of the floating scraper with the runners in such relation to the scraping edge of the scraper that the draft pull on the latter will act to depress the. scraping edge. A

further feature of this draft connection resides in the combination with hoisting means whereby the scraper may. readily be shifted into a dumpi position 'without' interference with said raft connection. A

/ In the most improved embodiment of my invention, the scraper is rockingly supported on the runners or frame in a. manner .to readily permit adjustmentof the. scraper into difi'erent positions to limit the depth of action of the. scraper edge and also to freely 6! permit the scraper to be shifted by thehoist- Application filed March 26, 1923 Serial No. 627,714.

ing means into a dumping position. The return of the scraper to normal, from. a dumping position is by gravity, and the novel draft means serves as a guide to hold the scraper in a position whereby it will,

when restored, be returned into its normal supported. relation.

Y My invention has many other features of novelty which will be more fully described in connection with the accompanying drawlugs and which will be more particularly polnted outin and by the appended claims.

In the drawings 1 I Fig. 1', is a view in side elevation of my complete scraper mechanism, showing the 7 most improved form thereof.

Fig. 2, is a plan view thereof with the traction engine and one rocker rail omitted.

Fig. 3, is a sectional view on line 3-3 of a Fig. 2, showing the scra er adjustably held in a position to scrape all the snow of]? from {he lice, the scraping edge riding on the ice eve Fig. 4, is a similar view showing how the scraper can be adjusted to the same position even when the snow is so deep that the runners are travelling at an elevation with respect to the ice level. i 1 Fig. 5, is a similar view showing the scraper sustained in a non-scraping or loaded position.

Fig. 6, is a similar view showing J the scraper shifted by thehoisting means into a snow dumping position. a k

Fig. 7 is a. detail section on line 7-7 of Fig. 2, showing the sliding abutment of the a runner frame with the forward portion. of the traction engine.

Fig. 8, is an enlarged view of the scraper retainin device and the. trip or throw-ofl means t erefor. i

Fig. 9, is a sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10, is a view in side elevation of the" front end of a modified form of mechanism esyigcially designed for dry land work.

. ig. 11, is a plan view of one-side portion thereof; p f f- I Like characters, of reference designate similar. parts throughout the different fig ures of the drawings. V

Plext describing the specific for h n 1 designates as a whole, a motive meanswhich is shown in the form of a traction engine of the caterpillar'type. f'As I claim nothing new in this element, it will be only briefly shown and described. The engine proper is shown at 2, the drivers seat at 3 and the radiator at 4.. A hoisting means includes a drum 5, about which a dumping cable 6, istrained, saidmeans being mounted on a frame 7 supported by the tractor. An

operating lever 8, for a clutch, (not shown) is accessible from the drivers seat 3, the

hoisting means being driven from archain 9, operated by the engine 2, in any suitable manner. Thus, the driver can throw in the clutch, by shifting lever 8, to actuate the cable 6, or throw out the clutch, at will.

, be ater described.

I will next describe my improved supporting runner frame structure and the novel manner in whichthe latter is connected with the tractor.

Said frame includes longitudinal members 13, connected withthe tractor by pivots 14 to blocks 10. This pivotal connectidn near the rear sides of the tractor, forms the rearmost support of the runner frame and permits movement thereof in response to irregular surfaces over which the mechanism travels. The frame membe s 13, are bent outwardly at 15, a sufficie distance away from the tractor to permit the interposition of abutment meanswhich may take the form of bars 11, previously described. Thus the forward endof'the tractor isin sliding abutment engagement with the lateral frame members to retain the latter in parallel relation with the tractor and relieve the pivotal connections 14 of the strain to which they would otherwise be subjected. Said members 13 are connected intermediate their ex- .treme ends by a transverse member 16, and

.the members 13, are bent outwardly. a further distance at 17. Stifiening plates 18, are riveted to said transverse member 16 and to the side members 13,-to render the frame rigid. The runner ends of the frame are designated at 19, and the latter are bent outwardly from portions 17, to afiord ,sufficient spread to receive the scraper 20,-between said ends 19. The extreme front or runner ends 21, are bent downwardly from the main body of the frame for pivotal conners 22 are provided on both sides thereof with plates 24, and a bearing bracket 25, on the outside face, of each runner, serves as. a bearing for the pivot bolt in addition.

to the bearings afiorded by the end 21 and instant runners 221 Thus,][ obtain a very strong and eficient pivotal connection between the runners and frame which serves to not only support the front end of the frame, but which securely holds the runners 22in the desired spaced relation, rearwardly from the front ends of the runners. In practice, I find it advantageous to rigidly connect the front ends of the runners 22 as they avoid running sideways more effectively if the runners are cambered, as clearly shown in Fig.

2. Thus each front end of each runner is provided with a rigidly attached arm 25',

extending upwardly therefrom at an angle, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. A rod 26, connests said arms, and surrounding said rod is a spacing sleeve 27 against the ends of which the arms, abut. This forms a rigid connecting means which is disposed above any normal level of snow thereby avoiding interference and drag. Further, this connecting'means holds the front .endsvof the runners at the adjusted camber. In practice, I find that with this means of connecting the runners, in addition to the strong pivotal connection of the runners with the frame,'I can avoid undue length of the runners and thuseliminate the necessity of any connection of the runners at the rear there of. Where the runners are relatively short, as shown, turning of the mechanism is greatly facilitated as the runners offer much less resistance than would bethe case where the runners are long. i

supporting or runner frame which is piv'ototal connections with the runners and trac- It will now be clear that I provide a rigid tor, and in addition to this distribution of the weight of the frame, I attain maximum flexibility in traversing uneven surfaces. It will be clear that the runners can negotiate a slight incline separately from the tractor, and vice 'versa, without imposing any binding stresses on the frame. Further, it will be noted from Fig. 1, that the runners and tractor are relatively separated, whiph is a feature of great advantage in traversing thin ice.

In accordance with my invention, a stationary crane is employed, and in carrying out this feature of wide distribution of weight, I mount this crane on the runner or supporting frame so that not only is the actual weight of the crane divided between tively mounted. Supporting members 32,

connected with the runner frame andsaid members28, rigidly hold the latter in the posit on shown, The mble 6, is shown trained over pulley 31, and extendingdownwardly 'to the scraper, tobe presently described. v

I will next describe my improved scraper and the 'manner and means employed for 4 manipulating the same.

The form of scraper is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the sides being indicated at 33, the rear end at 34 and the s;-rap1ng edge at 35. The bottom is formed of two sections 36 and 37 in angular relation, the pur pose of which will be presently described. One of the novel features of the invention is the floating draft connection of the scraper with the runners, which I will now describe in detail. j

To the front inside face of each rtinner is pivoted at 38, a draft bar 39. which is a bent outwardly at 40, to reach inside the scraper, as will clearly be seen in Fig. 2. A pivot bar 41, is permanently pivoted to the scraper at 42, and has an outwardly bent end 43, between which and the side wall of the scraper is interposed the remaining end of bar 39. An adjustable pivot 44, connects said bars 39 and 41, ,and also extends through the wall of the scraper, a plurality of holes 45, being provided. Thus the draft pull maybe set low, intermediate or high, in accordance with the requirements.

as it leaves the scraper free to. be adjusted into various scraping positions and also elevated into a dumping position, and in addition to both of these advantages, the draft bars 39 always insure a correct relation of the scraper between the runners, irrespective of the adjustment of the scraper. In other words. the bars 39, not only hold the scraper in its proper lateral position between the runners but also in a proper longitudinal relation thereto.

In accordance with my invention, as shown, the scraper 20 is rockingly supported on astructure in such a novel manner that itcan either be bodily elevated into a Thus, in all normal-or most frequent adjust-- ments of the scraper 20, the rail section 47, will present a broad bearing engagement wit the runner. A most important feature is t at the rails engage the tops of the runners so that when the scraper is elevated t dump, the rocking rails a e free to. ea e I In any event, this is a floating draft connection .er .to dump. the

the runners, and because of the guiding function of the bars 39, they are bound. to engage the runners when the scraper is returned to normal from a dumping position without the necessity of any special guiding 7 means. I

These rocking rails may be formed of angle iron, one flange 49, being riveted to the scraper side 33, as shown in Fig. 6.

I will next describe, the various positions to which the scraper may be adjusted.

In Fig; 3, I have shown the scraper 20 adjusted with its scraping edge 35, in actual contact with the ice, the level or upper face of which is indicated at A, and the runners so 22, engaging the ice. This is the adjustment made when all the snow is to be scraped ofl.- However, in some instances, the snow is left on the ice for a thickness of an inch or more,

in which event, the scraper will be adjusted with the edge 35 correspondingly above the ice level.

In Fig. 4, I have illustrated an adjustment wherein all the snow is being scraped oif and where the depth of the snow is such that the runners are elevated somewhat from the ice level. Thus, the scraper 20 is capable of scraping at a level below the runners. t

In Fig. 5,1 have illustrated the scraper 20 in a non-scraping or material carrying position with the scraping edge 35, elevated considerably above the ice level and the scraper bottom section 37, substantially parallel with the ice. This adjustment shows the section 48 in full engagement with the top of the runners. When a scraper is full, as in this position, and is some distance from the point of deposition where the material is to be dumped, this adjustment. is

very desirable. The advantage of having sections of the bottom of the scraper in parallel relation with corresponding sections of the rocker rails, will now be clear.

In Fig. 6, I have shown how the cable 6 1,101 attached at 50, to.the scraper 20 has ele vated the latter to a dumping position Her it will be seen how the draft bars 39,

prevent the front end of "the scraper, 20, from advancing forwardlyorshifting rearwardly when the cable 6 elevates the scramp;

to a dumping position. Afterthe cable is slackened, the scraper '20, will descend-filtrate a positionthat will insure engagement of the rocking ra ils with the runners. Further,

the center. of gravity is such that the scraper cannot tip forwardly or to the left of Fig. 6, when the cable slackens but must turn to the rightsof said'figu-re. It will now be clear that no thrust is imposed on the scrapnor-mal. V 7 2 .c.

It may 'now be stated that when it is desired to dump the scraper 20, the clutch lever 8, 1s actua ed to operatg drum 5, and

same or to restore it to k hoist the scraper to a dumping. position, ed crank end,66, which is connected at 67, .after which the lever 8, is actuated to -rewith an operating rod 68. Rod 68 extends lease the drum 5 from drive engagement, through a bearing 69 and has a cranked end whereupon, the Weight of the scraper will 70, in easy access to the foot of the driver. 5 itself be sufiicient to restore the scraper to A stop 71, may be provided tolimit move- 7 normal by gravity. ment of rod68, to the right of Figs. 1 and J T will next describe the retaining and sus- '2. A spring 72, secured to crank 66, nortaining mechanisms for holding the scrapmally acts to hpld the throw-off device in er in various pasitiofls of adjustment the osition shown, with the stop 71, engag- 110 and the means for releasing the scraper ing aring 69;

' from said-retaining means. 0 Assuming that the scraper was held in a The back wall 34, of the scraper 20 has fixed position by the retaining device and it a rearwardly projecting flange 51. On the was desired to dump the contents, then, the transverse member 16, v are abutment. means driver would first actuate the rod 68, to dis- .Jlfi which may consist of two members 52, seengage .the bar- 55, from k eeper 59, and then,

cured at 53, to said member 16, and (511- by operating lever 8, toclutch in drum 5, tending upwardly at an angle to the vertical he could quickly dump the scraper. Withand into the path of flange 51. I prefout leaving his seat, and on return ofthe erably elongate the free ends of said memscraper, the driver can, by manipulating the here as shown at 54, to increase the area lever 8 and rod 68, cause the bar 55, to en- 35 thereof, and revent deformation of the gage any of the notches with keeper 59.

scraper body. en thescraper is full, and I will next refer to a modified form of my adjusted to "thenon-scraping or carrying invention for use as a dirt, manure or other position shown in Fig. 5, the center of handler, 1 I

25 gravity of the load is such that the scraper In equipping the mechanism for travers- 90 will seek such position by gravity. As the ing a dry land surface, instead of ice, I em-- flange 51 engages the abutments 52, the ploy wheels 73, which may be of the castor latter will sustain the scraper in the posi-' type, oras shown, of the swivelled type. A

- tion shown. From this position, the hoistfork 74, having a spindle 75, rotatively jour- 30 ing cable can act, without interference, to nalled in a bearing 76, secured to the side shift the scraper from the carryingposition frame member 19, forms a support for the shown in Fig. 5, to the dumping position front end ofthe runner or supporting frame. shown in Fig. 6. Thus, it will be understood that either the The retaining means includes a bar 55, runners 22 or the wheels 73, constitute bear- 35 pivoted at 56, to a fitting 57, the latter being means for the front end of the support- 3w ing secured to wall 34. The shape of bar 55, ing frame, each side thereof having a wheel. is clear from Figs. 3 to 5. This bar has a Hereinafter in the claims, I will refer to V series of notches 58, adapted to coact with the supporting frame and its runners or a keeper 59, mounted in a fitting 60, which Wheels, as the supporting frame structure.

40 is secured to member 16. The free end of In place of the runners forming a rocking said bar is cam shaped, as shown at 61, to support for the scraper 20, the supporting ride over, said keeper, and a spring 62, seframe has a ledge 77, secured to each inside cured to wall 34; and bar 55, normally acts face thereof at 7 8, and rocking rails having to move bar 55 toward, and retain it in enportions 46, 47 and 48, identical with the gagement with keeper 59. In Fig. 3, the preferred construction, may fulcrum on keeper is engaged with the second notch these ledges in the same manner that they from the top, and in Fig. 4, with the third fulcrum on the tops of the runners. In this i I notch, and it will be readily seen that the form, the cable 6, the retaining and sustainrange of adjustment is only dependent on ing devices, are identical wlth those shown 50 the number of notches provided. However, in the preferred form, in both structure and the more important feature resides in the operation. Likewise, the rear end of the fact that bar 55, when engaged with said bearing frame 1s plvoted to the tractor in keeper, rigidly holds the scra er in its ad-; the same manner as 1n the first described justed position, and prevents it from being form.

55 tilted upwardly and downwardly from such The side members 19, in this modification,

position. .When the scraper 1s in the carryare extended at 79, forwardly of the scraper ing adjustment shown in Fig. 5, the bar 55, 20, and a transverse member 80-may be prodoes not function. vided to connectrthe extensions 79. To. this I will next describe the means for shifting transverse member 80, I preferably attach said bar 55, out of engagement with -i ts my draft bars 81, the latter being held k I againstjlateral movement by collars 82. The A fitting 63, mounted on-member 16, carremaining ends 83, are pivotally connected ries a spindle 64, on which is rigidly secured at 84, to the scraper-20, 1n the same manner a throw-ofi cam 5, which is located abreast as in the first described form Thus, the

' of bar 55. Said spindle 6e, hasan elongate scraper 20, is in floating draft connection n g t M n U, f

It will be noted that the bottom of the scraper lies very close to the ice or other surface and that no part of the frame structure is between the bottom of the scraper and the ice surface. Therefore, the bottom of the scraper, throughout its length, is entirely unobstructed from engaging the ice or other surface.

The rocking or fulcrum rails on the scraper, in this form, as well as in the preferred form, limit the depth of action of the,

edge 35, in combination with the retaining means, for any scraping function. When the scraper is not functioning as a scraper but as a carrier, then, the rocking rails coaot with the sustaining members 52.

It will now be clear that the retaining means operates in perfect co-ordination with the floating draft connection of. the scraper, and also with the rocking rails, irrespective of the adjustment desired.

It will also be seen that should the scraper become stuck, the tractor may be reversed and'the mechanism backed out of a stalled,

position, the draft bars 39 acting as struts to force the scraper 20 to partake of this retraction.

It is believed that the device of my invention'will be fully understood from the foregoing description and while I have shown specific forms of my invention, I do not wish to be limited thereto except for such limitations as the claims may import.

I claim 1. A snow scraper mechanism comprising, a traction engine, a runner frame connected with said engine and extending forwardly thereof, runners connected with the front of said frame to be pushed by said engine, and a scraper in floating connection with said runners, and the bottom of said scraper ly ing close to and being unobstructed from engagement with the ice or other surface.

2. A snow scraper mechanism comprising, a traction engine, a runner frame connected with said engine and extending in front thereof, runners on the front of said frame, a scraper in draft connection with said runners, and means on said scraper for rockingly engaging said runners.

3. A snow scraper mechanism comprising a traction engine, a runner frame connected with said engine and extending in front thereof, runners at the front of said. frame, a scraper in floating connection with. said runners and the bottom of said scraper being free to engage the ice or other surface,

and means for retaining said scraper in position to scrape at different levels with respect to'the ice level. I a

4. A snow scraper mechanism comprising, a traction engine, a runner frame connected with said engine and extending forwardly thereof, runners connected with the front of said frame, a scraper in draft. connection with said runners, a notched bar pivoted to said scraper, a member on said frame for selective engagement with the notches in said bar to hold said scraper in different 7 depth scraping positions.

'5'. A snow scraper mechanism comprising,

a traction engine, a runner frame and runners adapted to be pushed by said engine, a

scraper in draft connection with said runners, a notched bar pivoted to said scraper at the rear thereof, a member on said frame for selective engagement by the notches in said bar to hold said scraper in different depth scraping positions, and a trip device for throwing said bar out of engagement with said member to release said scraper.

6. A snow scraper mechanism comprising a traction engine, a runner frame structure connected with said engine, a scraper in draft floating connection with said structure, a notched bar pivoted to said scraper, a member on said structure for selective engagement with the notches in said bar to hold said scraper in different positions, a spring for retaining said bar in engagement with said member, a trip device for throwing said bar out of engagement with said porting the forward end of said frame, a

scraper in floating draft connection with said runners, said scraper having rocking rails engaging said runners to support said scraper in different positions of adjustment, and a cable connected with said scraper and operated by said drum to manipulate said scraper.

8. A snow scraper mechanism including and having rocking rails engaging said runners to support said 4 scraper in different positions of adjustment.

9. A snow scraper mechanism including runners, a scraper etween said runners having fixed rocking rails engaging said runners to support said scraper in difllerent positions, and draft means connected to the forward portions of said scraper and to the forward ends of said runners. v

10. A snow scraper mechanism including runners, a scraper between said runners hav ing rocking rails engaging the tops of said runners, and a scraper between said runners elling.

12. A- scraper mechanism comprising, a supportedframe structure adapted to be advanced with its front end foremost, and a scraper in floating draft connection with and also in floating rocking coaction with the front end of said structure. f

13. A scraper mechanism comprising, a supported frame structure adapted to be advanced with its front end foremost, and a scraper in floating connection with the front endof said structure, and the bottom of said scraper lying close to and being unobstructed by said structure from engaging the iceat the front and rear end of said scraper. I 14. A scraper mechanism comprising, a supported structure adapted tobe advanced with its front end foremost, a scraper near the front of said structure and the bottom of said scraper being unobstructed from and adapted to lie close to the ice or other sur: face, means for bodily elevating said scraper independently of said structure and into a. substantially-vertical dumping position, and means pivotally connecting said scraper with said structure.

15. A scraper mechanism comprising, a. supported structure adapted to be advanced, a scraper having rocking rails 00- acting with said structure .to support said scraper in a load carrying position, a floating draft connection uniting said scraper with said structure and normally acting to dispose said scraper into a'load carrying position, and an abutment means preventing said scraper from tilting beyond a load carrying position.

.16. A scraper mechanism comprising, a r

supported frame adapted to be advanced, a scraper having rocking rails coacting with said structure to support said scraper in a load carrying position, and a floating draft connection uniting said scraper with said structure and acting to tilt said scraperinto a load carrying position. 1

17. A scraper mechanism comprising, a supported structure adapted to be advanced, a scraper in floating draft connection with said structure and having free rocking coaction therewith, whereby said floating scraper may ascend and 'descendr'elatively to said structiire, and retaining means for holding said scraper against tilting from various operative. positions irrespective of, ascent or descent of said floating scraper.

18. A scraper mechanism comprising, afm

frame having forwardly extending ends,

short runners pivoted to said ends rearwardly of the front ends of said runners, a scraper between and connected with. said runners and having a rear end extending rearwardly of the rear ends of said runners and a forward end disposed rearwardly of the front ends of said runners, and means rigidly conecting the front ends of saidrunners above the snow level, whereby short runners may be employed with a large capacity scraper. 19. A scraper mechanism comprising, a supported frame structure adapted to be, advanced and having front ends in lateral spaced relation, a scraper between-said front ends and the bottom of said scraper being unobstructed from and in close relation to the ice surface, and means for advancingsaid scraper with saidstructure.

20. A scraper mechanism comprising, a supported frame structure adapted to be ad vanced and having front ends in lateral spaced relation, a scraper between said frpnt ends and being unobstructed by said structure 95 from engaging the ice surface, means for holding either the frontror rear ends of said scraper substantially in engagement with. the .ice surface, and means connecting said scraper with said structure.

In testimon that I claim the foregoing as" my own, I ereby aflix my signature.

JOHN H. mm. 

